The Wallflower
Etta James Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

Hey, baby, what do I have to do
To make you love me too?

You've got to roll with me, Henry (alright, baby)
Roll with me, Henry (don't mean maybe)
Roll with me, Henry (any old time)
Roll with me, Henry (don't change my mind)
Roll with me, Henry (alright)
You better roll it while the rollin' is on
Roll on, roll on, roll on

While the cats are ballin'
You better stop your stallin'
Its intermission in a minute
So you better get with it
Roll with me, Henry
You better roll it while the rollin' is on
Roll on, roll on, roll on

Oh, oh, ooh-wee
Henry, you ain't movin' me
You better feel that boogie beat
And get the lead out of your feet

Roll with me, Henry
Roll with me, Henry
Roll with me, Henry
Roll with me, Henry
Roll with me, Henry
You better roll it while the rollin' is on
Roll on, roll on, roll on
Roll on

Roll with me, Henry
Alright, baby

Well, I ain't teasin' (talk to me, baby)
You better stop your freezin' (alright, mama)
If you want romancin' (okay, sugar)
You better learn some dancin' (mm, mm)
Roll with me, Henry (alright)
You better roll it while the rollin' is on
Roll on, roll on, roll on

Roll with me, Henry (alright, baby)
Roll with me, Henry (don't mean maybe)
Roll with me, Henry (any old time)
Roll with me, Henry (don't change my mind)
Roll with me, Henry (alright)
You better roll it while the rollin' is on
Roll with me, Henry (alright, baby)
Roll with me, Henry (alright, baby)
Oh, oh, Henry (oh, mama)




Roll with me, Henry (mm, mm)
Roll with me, Henry

Overall Meaning

The song "Roll With Me, Henry" by Etta James, also known as "The Wallflower", is a plea from a woman to a man, asking what she has to do to win his love. She exclaims "Roll with me, Henry" repeatedly throughout the song, urging him to dance with her and enjoy the music while the "cats are ballin'". Her push for him to join in shows her enthusiasm and desire for him to share in her love of dance, and by extension, her love for him. The urgency in her voice and the repetitive nature of the chorus also depict her impatience with him, as she tells him to "roll it while the rollin' is on", suggesting that the moment is fleeting and they should take advantage of it while they can.


The lyrics, which were co-written by James along with Johnny Otis and Hank Ballard, reflect the gender dynamics and cultural norms of the time period they were written in. The woman in the song is taking a traditionally masculine role in asking the man to dance, while he is portrayed as resistant and in need of persuasion. The upbeat tempo and bluesy sound of the song also reflect the musical styles popular in the early 1950s, when the song was released.


Line by Line Meaning

Hey, baby, what do I have to do To make you love me too?
The singer is asking the listener what she needs to do to be loved back.


You've got to roll with me, Henry (alright, baby) Roll with me, Henry (don't mean maybe) Roll with me, Henry (any old time) Roll with me, Henry (don't change my mind) Roll with me, Henry (alright) You better roll it while the rollin' is on Roll on, roll on, roll on
The singer is asking Henry to dance with her and enjoy the moment while they can.


While the cats are ballin' You better stop your stallin' Its intermission in a minute So you better get with it Roll with me, Henry You better roll it while the rollin' is on Roll on, roll on, roll on
The singer is urging Henry to stop hesitating and join her in dancing.


Oh, oh, ooh-wee Henry, you ain't movin' me You better feel that boogie beat And get the lead out of your feet
The artist is telling Henry that his lack of enthusiasm is not enough to impress her and that he needs to move more rhythmically to the music.


Well, I ain't teasin' (talk to me, baby) You better stop your freezin' (alright, mama) If you want romancin' (okay, sugar) You better learn some dancin' (mm, mm) Roll with me, Henry (alright) You better roll it while the rollin' is on Roll on, roll on, roll on
The artist is making it clear that she is not joking and that if Henry wants to be romantically involved with her, he needs to learn how to dance with her.


Roll with me, Henry (alright, baby) Roll with me, Henry (don't mean maybe) Roll with me, Henry (any old time) Roll with me, Henry (don't change my mind) Roll with me, Henry (alright) You better roll it while the rollin' is on Roll with me, Henry (alright, baby) Roll with me, Henry (alright, baby) Oh, oh, Henry (oh, mama) Roll with me, Henry (mm, mm) Roll with me, Henry
The singer is repeatedly asking Henry to dance with her and enjoy the moment, emphasizing the urgency of rolling with her while the music is playing.




Lyrics © BMG Rights Management, Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony/ATV Music Publishing LLC, Kobalt Music Publishing Ltd., Warner Chappell Music, Inc.
Written by: Hank Ballard, Etta James, Johnny Otis

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

Erik brodland


on I Just Want to Make Love to You

Love this song so much, it makes me think of my son's Beautiful mommy jasmin and her amazing.voice.

More Versions